Doha – Qatari authorities have arrested more than 300 people for sharing images and what they described as “misleading information” related to the ongoing Iranian attacks on the Gulf state, the interior ministry announced on Monday.
The arrests, carried out by the Department for Combating Economic and Cyber Crimes, target individuals of “various nationalities” who filmed and circulated video clips of the daily drone and missile strikes.
A statement from the ministry said those detained had published “misleading information and rumours that could stir public opinion.”
A Region on Edge
The crackdown in Qatar mirrors similar measures being taken across the Gulf region as the war between Iran and the US-Israeli alliance escalates. Since the conflict began on February 28, Iran has targeted airports, military bases, energy installations, and residential areas across the Gulf, including in Qatar, the UAE, Kuwait, and Bahrain.
The spread of unverified footage and graphic content on social media has become a significant concern for authorities trying to maintain public order and prevent panic during the crisis.
No Further Details
The interior ministry did not provide specific details on the nationalities of those arrested or the exact nature of the content they shared. The announcement serves as a warning to residents and citizens alike about the strict penalties for disseminating information that could be deemed harmful to public safety or national security.
The arrests in Qatar are the latest in a series of regional responses to the information war accompanying the military conflict.
